Top block shift

ABSTRACT

In an adjustable slab mold having side, end, top and bottom blocks, a top block shift is connected to a side block and has means to vertically raise and lower the top block and longitudinally move the top block relative to the mold. The top block may be further laterally moved relative to the side blocks.

[ Mar. 7, 1972 [5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS [54] TOP BLOCK SHIFT [72] Inventor:

Lyman W. Jeffreys, Mount Prospect, Ill.

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....249/l58 X 249/82 ....249/82 X Sylvester...........

21 Appl. No.: 47,963

Primary ExaminerJ. Spencer Overholser Related Apphmtlon Dam Assistant Examiner-John E. Roethel [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 731,015, May 22,

Attorney-Walter L. Schlegel, Jr. and John W. Yakimow 1968, abandoned.

ABSTRACT In an adjustable slab mold having side, end, top and bottom [52] U.S.Cl.............................. l64/342, 164/131 249/161 blocks, a top block shift is connected to a side block and has 3229 17/26 means to vertically raise and lower the top block and longitu- 164/1 19, I31, 137, 306, 33 dinally move the top block relative 'to the mold. The to 164/342, 343; 249/82, 155, 158, 161; 254/45, 47,

[51] Int.

p block [58] Field of may be further laterally moved relative to the side blocks.

10 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTED MR 7 I972 sum 1 or 4 PAIENTEDMAR 1 I972 SHEET 3 [IF 4 awe/Wm TOP BLOCK SHIFT This is a continuation-in-part of our copending application, Ser. No. 73 l ,015 filed May 22, 1968 now abandoned.

Adjustable graphite molds, similar to the one shown in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,286,973, areused in combination now bottom pressure pouring to cast molten metal into slabs, blooms and billets. Each mold is opposed movable side blocks that may be engaged with a front, rear, bottom and top block to define a casting cavity. A plurality of individually adjustable screws, such as illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,340,926 and 3,459,256, generally support the top block and are treadedly connected to an equal number of support arms. The arms are rigidly secured at one end to a side block and laterally movable therewith. Different heights of the casting cavity may be selectively defined by adjusting the screws to vary the height of the top block.

In assembling these molds, and moving the blocks into tight abutting engagement for casting, the adjustment of each screw supporting the top block and the maintenance of a parallel relationship between the bottom surface of the movable top block and the top surface of the stationary bottom block becomes an annoying and time consuming operation. This task is further increased when several castings of various heights are to be successively poured from the same mold. The top block also has a tendency to shift when contact is made between it and the top of the rear block as the parts are moved into tight engagement causing the screws to bend and jam and the top block to move angularly relative to the bottom block.

When the molds are poured, fins on the casting may occur longitudinally between the top block and the side blocks and vertically between a riser arm on the top block and the side blocks. In order to remove the casting from themold, various blocks, including the top block and the side blocks, must first be moved. Since the top block is connected for lateral movement with one side block, it is necessary to move the top block away from the longitudinal and vertical fins prior to its lateral movement. This is generally accomplished by moving the free side block and the front block and then removing the vertical fins and one side of the longitudinal fins, as by burning. The top block may then be raised above the remaining longitudinal fin and the side block and top block moved laterally away from the casting. Removal in this manner becomes a time consuming and expensive process. By providing a mechanism that would quickly and easily raise the top block above the longitudinal fins and shift the top block longitudinally away from the vertical tins, the side blocks could be moved laterally with the top block thereby quickly freeing the casting for removal.

It is also desirable to move the top block laterally relative to the side blocks. In this way, the two sides and the bottom of the top block and the side of the corresponding side block may be exposed for cleaning after the mold is opened. Also, the bottom of the top block may be easily sprayed'when the top block is spaced from the side blocks.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. I is a semidiagrammatic view of an adjustable slab mold;

FIG. 2 is a broken, side elevational view of a top block shift secured to a side block of said slab mold;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of one of the lifting mechanisms shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, detailed side elevational view illustrating one of the shifting mechanisms shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 66 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a semischematic view illustrating a shifting mechanism in an extended, semiextended and folded position;

FIG. 8 is a broken, side elevational view of a laterally movable top block shift connected to a side block ofa slab mold;

FIG. 9 is a broken top view of the top block shift illustrated in FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 10-10 of FIG. 8 and illustrating a portion'of-the'entire mold.

Describing the invention in detail and referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a slab mold, generally designated 10, comprising two side blocks 12 and 13 (only one shown in FIG. 1), a top block 14 having a projecting arm 15, a bottom block 16, a rear end block 18, and a front end block 20. A riser cavity 22 might be defined by the end block.20 projections on the side blocks l2and 13 and the arm 15. All of the blocks, when in position, form a mold cavity 24 having an inlet gate 25 through which molten metal may be forced into the mold. Various means (not shown) are used to move the blocks into and out of engagement and to maintain them in their proper position during casting.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the top block shift, generally designated 26, comprises opposed bases 28 and 30 that may be rigidly securedto the top of side block 12 and interconnected by a support platform 32. Opposed, vertical lifters, generally designated 34 and 36, mounted on the support platform 32, have corresponding, reciprocating vertical screws 38 actuated by corresponding worm gear drives 40. A drive shaft and couplings connect the worm gear drives 40 to gear boxes 42. The gear boxes 42 are in turn interconnected by shafts and couplings and are actuated by a motor 44 connected to a gear reducer 46. The vertical lifters 34 and 36 may be designed to rotate the screws 38 in a l to 1 relationship and thereby move the top block 14 upwardly or downwardly.

The lower end of each screw 38 is connected to a shifting mechanism, generally designated 48, that is connected to a support beam 49 secured to top block 14. Top block shift 26 and its shifting mechanisms 48 may be designed to hold the top block 14 proximate side block 12, as shown in FIG. 3.

FIGS. 4 through 6 illustrate a shifting mechanism 48 comprising a lifting lug 50 rigidly secured to the bottom end of a screw 38. A shifting frame, generally designated 52, having spaced, parallel corresponding sides 54 and 56 rigidly interconnected by plates 58 and 60, is pivotally connected to lug 50 by a pin 62. A wheel 64, intermediate sides 54 and 56, is rotatably secured to the upper end of shifting frame 52 by a pin 66. The lower end of each frame 52 is pivotally connected to a shift block 68, intermediate the frame's sides, by a pin 69 that lies to the right of the centerline of screw 38 when shifting mechanism 48 is extended.

A toggle frame, generally designated 70, having spaced, parallel, corresponding sides 72 and 74 rigidly interconnected by a plate 76, is pivotally secured by a pin 78 at its lower end to shift block 68. A wheel 80, intermediate sides 72 and 74, is rotatably connected by a pin 82 to the upper end of toggle frame 70. As shown in FIG. 4, toggle wheel extends above shifting frame wheel 64 when shifting mechanism 48 is in an extended position.

Parallel corresponding toggle links 84 and 86 are respectively pivotally connected to shifting frame 52 and toggle frame 70 intermediate their respective sides by pins 88 and 90.

The head 92 of a rod, generally designated 94, is pivotally connected intermediate toggle links 84 and 86 by pin in toggle frame 70. The rod 94 is in sliding engagement with an aperture 96 in a pin 98 that is rotatably mounted in shifting frame 52 intermediate pins 62 and 69. The pin 98 has opposed parallel flat surfaces 100 and 102. A shoulder 104 on rod 94 is engageable with surface 100 on pin 98 to retard sliding movement of rod 94 within aperture 96 at a predetermined point. Encircling rod 94 at the end opposite head 92 is a compression spring 106 that is held in compression by surface 102 of pin 98 at one end a nut 108 threadedly secured to rod 94 at the other end.

Each shift block 68 is in sliding, abutting engagement with the top of support beam 49. Parallel adjusting blocks 110 and 112 are rigidly secured to support beam 49 and are spaced from the ends of shift block 68. An adjusting rod 114 projecting through aligned apertures in adjusting blocks I10 and 112 and shift block 68 is held in place by nuts 116 at either end. A pin 118 interconnects adjusting rod 114 and shift block 68 limiting relative movement therebetween. The position of each shift block 68, relative to screw 38, maybe adjusted by moving nuts 116 on the ends of rod 114.

When shifting mechanism 48 is in a locked position, as shown in FIG. 4, the center of pin 90 lies to the right ofa line interconnecting the centers of pins 78 and 88, thereby retarding rightward movement of block 68 in FIG. 4. A stop 120 on each side, 54 and 56, of toggle frame 52 mates with the upper surface 122 of block 68 to retard leftward movement of block 68.

FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a shifting mechanism 48 in an extended position, as shown in FIG. 4, represented by the numerals and the solid lines, in a semifolded position represented by the numerals followed by an a and in a folded position represented by the numerals followed by a b and the dashed lines.

Each numeral or numeral and letter and corresponding cross represents the center of the respective pin in shifting mechanism 48 when said mechanism is in each of the above given positions. It should be noted that point 62 is a stationary point in all positions of mechanism 48.

In operation, inner blocks 16, 18 and 20 of mold 10 are positioned by means not shown. The two side blocks 12 and 13 are then moved toward each other thereby moving top block 14. When top block 14 is in sliding abutting engagement with the inner surfaces of both side blocks 12 and 13, the top block shift 26, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, is then actuated to lower top block 14 until its bottom surface is in tight abutting engagement with the top surface of end block 18 as seen in FIG. 1. As top block 14 is being lowered by screws 38, shifting mechanisms 48 are in an extended position, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. Since both screws 38 move together in a 1 to 1 relationship, the bottom surface of top block 14 is always maintained in a given position relative to the top surface of bottom block 16.

Once top block 14 is positioned, side blocks 12 and 13 are moved into tight abutting engagement with inner blocks 14, 16, 18 and 20 and mold 10 is then poured. Upon solidification of the metal in cavity 24, the two side blocks 12 and 13 are moved slightly apart permitting top block 14 to slide therebetween.

The top block shift 26 is then actuated to raise top block 14. As seen in FIGS. 2, 4 and 7, as shifting mechanisms 48 are raised, eventual contact is made between the bottom 124 of platforms 32 and toggle wheels 80 thereby rotating toggle frames 70. This rotation forces pivotal point 90 of toggle links 84 and 86 to move forward from the right of a line interconnecting the centers of pins 78 and 88 to the left of said line thereby unlatching the toggle locks formed by links 84 and 86. As seen in FIG. 7, pin 90 moves from point 90 to point 900, thereby rotating shifting frame 52, as represented by pin 66, from point 66 to 66a. It will be noted that the angular rotation of toggle frame 70 is much greater than that of shifting frame 52 thereby resulting in eventual contact between the bottom 124 of platform 32 and shifting frame wheel 64 as mechanism 48 continues to rise. Further upward movement of screws 38 moves the shifting mechanisms 48 into the folded position illustrated by the dashed line. Since pivotal points 69 and 78 are both connected to shift block 68 and held in a fixed relationship relative to each other, the pivotal movement of shifting and toggle frames 52 and 70 and toggle links 84 and 86 results in each block 68 moving longitudinally and upwardly from point 78 to point 78b.

It should be noted that shifting mechanisms 48 are so designed that shift blocks 68 swing longitudinally upward or downward so that the bottom surface of top block 14 is always parallel to its initial position as illustrated by the lines interconnecting the various corresponding points 69 and 78 on shift block 68. In this way, top block 14 is always held in a position parallel to the top of the casting (not shown) as top block 14 moves longitudinally. This longitudinal and vertical movement of shift blocks 68 and the attached top block 14 permits top block 14 to clear any fins that may have formed between arm and side blocks 12 and 13 and top block 14 and side blocks 12 and 13. When top block 14 is lifted and shifting mechanisms 48 folded, the side blocks 12 and 13 may then be moved apart away from the casting. The front and rear end blocks 20 and 18 may then be removed and the casting may be lifted off of bottom block 16.

As the above movement from an extended to a folded position was occurring, the head 92 of spring rod 94, which is pivotally connected to toggle frame 70, was moving in a direction opposed to pin 98 in shifting frame 52 thereby further compressing spring 106.

When screws 38 are reversed, thereby lowering shifting mechanisms 48, this added spring force acts intermediate the effective levers that exist between points 88!) and b and points 90b and 78b thereby tending to respectively rotate shifting and toggle frames 52 and 70 from points 66b and 82b to points 66 and 82. The wheel 64 or 80, depending on the mechanisms position, is held in contact with the bottom surface 124 of platform 32 permitting each mechanism 48 to slowly return to its extended position shown in FIG. 4, under the force of spring 106 and the lowering movement of screws 38. Once mechanisms 48 are returned to their extended position as shown in FIG. 4, and the casting is removed, the blocks of the mold 10 may be reconditioned for the next pour and then reengaged as previously disclosed.

FIGS. 8 to 10 illustrate another embodiment of the inven tion wherein a top block shift generally designated 126, comprises three bases generally designated 128, that may be mounted relative to side block 12 of mold 10. The bases 128 are interconnected by a support platform 130.

Vertical lifters generally designated 132, similar in design to vertical lifters 34 and 36, are mounted along platform 130. The lower end of each screw 38 of each lifter 132 may be connected to a support beam 49 that is secured to the top of top block 14.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, each base 128 may include a vertical axle 136 that may be rigidly mounted at its lower end in an opening 137 in a frame 138 that is secured to side block 12. Spaced upper and lower bearings generally designated 140 and 142, e.g., tapered bearings, may have their inner races 144 and 146 in contact with axle 136 in a known manner and have their outer races 148 and 150 in contact with a defining surface 152 of cavity 154 located in housing 156 in a known manner. Ridges 158 and 160 may be used to prevent movement of outer races 148 and 150 toward one another. A cap 162 may be threadedly engaged with the upper end of axle 136 to prevent upward movement of inner race 144 and a ridge 164 on axle 136 may be used to prevent downward movement of inner race 146. Appropriate sealing means may be located at both ends of cavity 154 to protect bearings 140 and 142 from contaminates.

A second cavity 164 similar to cavity 154 may be also located in housing 156 and have an axle 166 mounted therein in a manner similar to the mounting of axle 136, The ends of axle 166, however, are 180 relative to the ends of axle 136. The upper end of axle 166 may be rigidly secured to an arm 168 connected to platform 130. Bearings generally designated 170 and 172, may be mounted in cavity 164 in a manner similar to bearings 140 and 142 to permit relative rotational movement between axle 166 and housing 156.

During pouring of molten metal into mold 10, top block 14 is in engagement with side blocks 12 and 13. The bases 128 are preferably in their retracted positions i.e., a position in which a line through the centers of axles I36 and 166 is perpendicular to the cavity defining surface 174 of side block 12.

After the metal has solidified in mold 10, side blocks 12 and 13 are moved apart. The vertical lifters are actuated, as previously described, to lift top block 14 upwardly away from the cast slab in cavity 24.

A hydraulic or pneumatic device generally designated 176, having a ram 178 pivotally connected to the back of one of the housings 156 and a cylinder 180 pivotally connected to frame 138 may be used to rotate housing 156 relative to axles 136 and 166. Retraction of ram 178 illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, results in pivotal movement of housing 156 about axle 136. Such movement swings platform 130 laterally away from side block 12 and longitudinally away from riser 22. The side blocks 12 and 13 may be further separated by known means as previously described and the slab may be removed from the mold.

Reconditioning and spraying of side block 12 and top block 14 is much simpler when the two are spaced apart. Such lateral movement is not possible in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7 without readjusting bases 28 and 30 on side block 12. This is a difficult and time consuming procedure. It should be noted, however, that bases 128 may be substituted by bases 28 and 30 or for the shifting mechanisms 48 in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7 to provide for such lateral swinging movement.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings have been given only by way of illustration and example. lt is also to be understood that changes in form of the elements, rearrangement of parts, and substitution of equivalent elements, which will be obvious to those skilled in the art, are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention.

lclaim:

1. In a mold apparatus having side blocks laterally movable toward and away from each other and a plurality of movable inner blocks, including a longitudinally extending top block positioned between the side blocks and engaged therewith, the side blocks and the inner blocks defining together a casting cavity and a riser cavity at one end of the top block, a top block shift comprising a base mounted proximate said side blocks, and shifting means connected to the top block and to the base to longitudinally move the top block relative to and intermediate said side blocks toward and away from said riser cavity.

2. The top block shift set out in claim 1 wherein the base is mounted on one of the side blocks and includes a top block support platform, and said shifting means are connected to said top block support platform and said top block.

3. The top block shift set out in claim 2 wherein vertical lifting means are mounted on the top block support platform, and said shifting means are connected to said vertical lifting means, and said top block, said vertical lifting means being used to raise and lower the shifting means and the top block relative to the side blocks.

4. The top block shift set out in claim 3 wherein adjusting means are connected to said top block, and said shifting means are connected to said adjusting means and said vertical lifting means, said adjusting means being used to move the top block relative to the shifting means toward and away from said riser cavity intermediate said side blocks.

5. The top block shift set out in claim 3 wherein said shifting means includes at least two units each of which comprises a shifting frame pivotally connected to the vertical lifting means and to the top block, and a first contact point on the upper portion of said shifting frame, said first contact point being contacted by said top block support platform during the raising of said top block by said vertical lifting means, whereby, said shifting frame is pivoted about said connection with said vertical lifting means to move said top block.

6. The top block shift set out in claim 5 wherein a toggle frame is pivotally connected to the top block, a second contact point is located on the upper portion of said toggle frame, said second contact point being above said first contact point, and a toggle link is pivotally connected to said shifting frame and to said toggle frame, the center of said pivotal connection of said toggle link with said toggle frame being located intermediate a first line interconnecting the center of said pivotal connection of said toggle frame with said top block and the center of said pivotal connection of said toggle link with said shifting frame and a second line interconnecting the center of said pivotal connection of said shifting frame with said top block and the center of said pivotal connection of said shifting frame with said vertical lifting means, said second contact point being contacted by said top block support platform during the raising of said top block by said vertical lifting means, whereby, said toggle frame and said tog le link move and said center of said pivotal connection of sai toggle link with said toggle frame moves from one side of said first line to the opposite side of said first line thereby moving said shifting frame and said top block.

7. The top block shift set out in claim 6 wherein spring means are operatively engaged with said toggle link and said shifting frame to resist the movement of the center of said pivotal connection of said toggle link with said toggle frame from its position on one side of said first line intermediate said first and second lines to said position on the opposite side of said first line.

8. The top block shift set out in claim 1 wherein said base is mounted on one of said side blocks, a top block support platform is located above said base, said longitudinal shifting means includes at least two units, each unit comprising a housing, a first shaft connected at one end to said base and rotatably mounted in said housing, a second shaft rotatablyv mounted in said housing and connected at one end to said top block support platform, and vertical means mounted on said top block support platform and connected to said top block 9. The top block shift set out in claim 8 including power means to rotate said housing about said shaft connected to said base to move said top block toward and away from said riser cavity.

10. The top block shift set out in claim 8 wherein said vertical means are used to raise and lower said top block relative to said side blocks. 

1. In a mold apparatus having side blocks laterally movable toward and away from each other and a plurality of movable inner blocks, including a longitudinally extending top block positioned between the side blocks and engaged therewith, the side blocks and the inner blocks defining together a casting cavity and a riser cavity at one end of the top block, a top block shift comprising a base mounted proximate said side blocks, and shifting means connected to the top block and to the base to longitudinally move the top block relative to and intermediate said side blocks toward and away from said riser cavity.
 2. The top block shift set out in claim 1 wherein the base is mounted on one of the side blocks and includes a top block support platform, and said shifting means are connected to said top block support platform and said top block.
 3. The top block shift set out in claim 2 wherein vertical lifting means are mounted on the top block support platform, and said shifting means are connected to said vertical lifting means, and said top block, said vertical lifting means being used to raise and lower the shifting means and the top block relative to the side blocks.
 4. The top block shift set out in claim 3 wherein adjusting means are connected to said top block, and said shifting means are connected to said adjusting means and said vertical lifting means, said adjusting means being used to move the top block relative to the shifting means toward and away from said riser cavity intermediate said side blocks.
 5. The top block shift set out in claim 3 wherein said shifting means includes at least two units each of which comprises a shifting frame pivotally connected to the vertical lifting means and to the top block, and a first contact point on the upper portion of said shifting frame, said first contact point being contacted by said top block support platform during the raising of said top block by said vertical lifting means, whereby, said shifting frame is pivoted about said connection with said vertical lifting means to move said top block.
 6. The top block shift set out in claim 5 wherein a toggle frame is pivotally connected to the top block, a second contact point is located on the upper portion of said toggle frame, said second contact point being above said first contact point, and a toggle link is pivotally connected to said shifting frame and to said toggle frame, the center of said pivotal connection of said toggle link with said toggle frame being located intermediate a first line interconnecting the center of said pivotal connection of said toggle frame with said top block and the center of said pivotal connection of said toggle link with said shifting frame and a second line interconnecting the center of said pivotal connection of said shifting frame with said top block and the center of said pivotal connection of said shifting frame with said vertical lifting means, said second contact point being contacted by said top block support platform during the raising of said top block by said vertical lifting means, whereby, said toggle frame and said toggle link move and said center of said pivotal connection of said toggle link with said toggle frame moves from one side of said first line to the opposite side of said first line thereby moving said shifting frame and said top block.
 7. The top block shift set out in claim 6 wherein spring means are operatively engaged with said toggle link and said shifting frame to resist the movement of the center of said pivotal connection of said toggle link with said toggle frame from its position on one side of said first line intermediate said first and second lines to said position on the opposite side of said first line.
 8. The top block shift set out in claim 1 wherein said base is mounted on one of said side blocks, a top block support platform is located above said base, said longitudinal shifting means includes at least two units, each unit comprising a housing, a first shaft connected at one end to said base and rotatably mounted in said housing, a second shaft rotatably mounted in said housing and connected at one end to said top block support platform, and vertical means mounted on said top block support platform and connected to said top block.
 9. The top block shift set out in claim 8 including power means to rotate said housing about said shaft connected to said base to move said top block toward and away from said riser cavity.
 10. The top block shift set out in claim 8 wherein said vertical means are used to raise and lower said top block relative to said side blocks. 